Backhoe



1964 A. J. VAN AUWELAER ETAL 3,120,897

BACKHOE Filed Dec. 3, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS A. J. VAN AUWELAER ,J.A.ANDERSON 8 FIG. 8

ATTO R NEY Feb. 11, 1964 Filed Dec. 5, 1962 FIG. 6

A. J. VAN AUWELAER ETAL BACKHOE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS A. J. VAN AUWELAER J.A. ANDERSON a J.L.FRENCH ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,12%,897 BACKHGE Albert J. Van Auwclaer, John A. Anderson, and John L. French, Molina, llh, assignors to Deere 8: Company, Mollne, lll., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 3, H62, Ser. No. 241,608 6 Claims. ('Ll. 214-438) This invention relates to a tractor-backhoe type of assembly. More particularly this invention relates to a backhoe supported by a supporting stand between the tractor and backhoe. The boom of the backhoe is supported by means of a swing cylinder carried on the supporting stand and adapted to angularly swing the boom of the backhoe. Still more particularly this invention relates to a new and novel method of moving hydraulic iluid between the tractor, supporting stand, and backhoe boom, as well as the earth-moving equipment on the boom.

In US. Patent 2,994,446 which to Messrs. A. J. Van Auwelaer and O. R. loliansson, August 1, 1961, there is shown and described a supporting structure for the boom of a backhoe which includes an upright rotary type hydrau-lic cylinder with a casing or barrel connected directly to the boom. The casing as well as the boom will swing about a vertical axis through the effect of hydraulic fluid passing within the casing and against suitably arranged vane structure. The boom structure is supported on rearwardly projecting arms or brackets that are rigid with the casing. The boom is also moved vertically on the casing by means of a hydraulic cylinder extending between the casing and the boom. The entire swing structure is supported on a supporting stand disposed between the tractor and the swing structure. In the structure shown in the aforementioned patent, the hydraulic hoses, through necessity, extend under the supporting stand and to the various earth-working equipment on the backhoe boom as well as to the swing cylinder.

There are considerable problems involved with this disposition of hydraulic lines. Primary among these problems is the fact that the hydraulic hoses must pass relatively close to the ground. Therefore, when in transport over uneven ground these hoses are damaged due to various projections extending from the ground. Also, the fact that the hoses pass under the supporting stand as well as the swivel cylinder creates a problem of not being able to view the hydraulic hoses which, or" course, is not desirable since it is impossible to view a damaged hose until the shutdown of the implement occurs.

With the above in mind, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel assembly of a supporting stand, a swing structure, and a boom of a backhoe so that the hydraulic hoses are always in view and are positioned above the swing structure where they will not be damaged by movement of the tractor and backhoe over the ground.

Specifically it is the object of the present invention to provide a manifold supported on relatively long rearwardly projecting arms on the swing casing or cylinder with fluid inlets facing the supporting stand. Supported on the supporting stand is a valve structure with outlets facing the manifold inlets above the swing structure. The inlets on the manifold are disposed on the leftand right-hand sides of a plane extending through the axis of the swing structure and the manifold. Similarly the out lets on the valves are disposed on the leftand right-hand sides of a plane passing through the axis of the swing structure and the valves. The fluid hoses extend from the left-hand outlets to the right-hand inlets and also from the right-hand outlets to the left-hand inlets. The hoses cross above the swing cylinder or structure and generally 3,12%,89? Patented Feb. ll, 196-4 on the axis of the swing structure. This is of particular importance since as the entire swing structure moves to the left or right, the hoses will tend to flex about the axis of the swing structure. There will therefore not be created excess bulges in the hoses and also the minimum length of hoses may be used.

it is proposed and is a further object of the invention to support the boom structure on the lower arms of the swivel casing and to support the cylinder that effects vertical movement of the boom on upper arms rigid with the swivel casing. The upper arms also support the aforementioned manifold block and consequently must extend considerably forwardly than, for example, the arms disclosed in the aforementioned Van Auwelaer et al. patent. Consequently it is further proposed to provide a recessed portion in the rear face of the boom structure so that the forward extension of the upper arms as well as a portion of the manifold may be recessed within the boom when the boom is raised to its maximum vertical position.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following description and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the tractor-backhoe assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side View of the swivel structure, of the hydraulic hoses and manifold, and of portions of the backhoe supporting stand and backhoe boom structure.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the boom of the backhoe in a raised position and swiveled to one side of the swivel structure.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the supporting stand, the hydraulic hoses, the manifold, the swivel stnucture, and the backhoe boom.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to P16. 4 but showing the boom structure swiveled to one side.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 8 of FIG. 3.

The earth-working implement or backhoe ll! is of the type normally mounted on the rear of a tractor 1-1 or other type of mobile vehicle. The tractor ll includes a main power unit or engine, not shown, a body 12 sup ported on front Wheels 13 and a pair of rear traction wheels, one of which is shown at 14. An operators station indicated in its location by the steering wheel 15 is provided on the tractor and includes therein a seat which is reversible to be positioned to either face the steering wheel 15 or the backhoe it The backhoe ll? includes a vertically adjustable boom 26 supported at its lower end on a supporting stand or main frame indicated in its entirety by the reference nu meral 21. The boom 26 is controlled in its vertical movement by an extensible hydraulic unit or cylinder 24. The backhoe it also includes a dipper-stick 25 pivoted at 26 to the upper end of the boom Ztl. The dipperstick is swung vertically about the pivot as by means of a hydrau lic cylinder 27. Pivotally supported at 3t on the outer end of the dipperstick 25 is a bucket 31 controlled by an hydraulic cylinder 32. (Ether types of buckets and earth cutting or moving implements could, or" course, be used on the backhoe dipperstick. The hydraulic cylinder 32 is connected to the bucket by means of linkage 35 3.

Directional limitations such as forward and rearward will be determined in relation to the backhoe. The frame 21 is considered to be positioned forwardly of the tractor (I) 11, the hydraulic swing structure, to be described, is positioned forwardly of the stand 21, and the backhoe boom 2% and its earth-moving equipment is positioned forwardly of the swing cylinder structure.

The supporting stand 21 is of the type having a transverse upright platform with ve'rtic ally adjustable legs, one of which is shown at 35, on opposite sides of and extending outwardly from the platform. The legs are vertically adjusted by a pair of hydraulic cylinders, one of which is shown at d6. Such adjustments are conventional.

The boom or mast 211 and the adjusting cylinder 2d are supported on an upright cylinder casing in by means of pairs of fonwardly projecting upper and lower arms 41, 42 and pivotal connections 43, The casing or cylinder 40 is supported for swiveling action on main frame 2 1 by a casting 45 bolted to the supporting st nd by bolts 46 and having upper and lower forwardly projecting portions 47, 43 respectively that support a central swivel post 4 9 about which axis the casing may move. In most respects the swivel structure is similar to that shown in US. Patent 2,994,446 issued to Messrs. A. 1. Van Auwelaer and 0. R. Johansson on August 1, 1961. Therefore if more details are desired relative to the type of swivel, reference may be made to that patent.

Supported on the supporting stand 21 is a valve structure indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral '5. In many respects the valve structure is identical to that shown in US. Patent 2,979,081 which issued to Messrs. I. E. McCan-se and Douglas C. Ager on April 11, 1961. If exact details of the valve system is desired, reference may be made to that patent. Basically, however, the valve structure is composed of a horizontal bank of valves terminating at outlets as indicated by the hose fittings 55. As may readily be seen from viewing FIG. 4-, the valve outlets 56 may be divided into two parts, one part or half of which is on the left-hand side of a vertical plane passing through the axis of the post 4% and through the foreand aft center line of the valve structure 55, and one part of which is on the right-hand side of the same plane. Valve control levers indicated at 57, 58 control the fluid passing through the left hand and right-hand valve outlets. The exact design of the control levers and their connection to the valves are shown in the aforementioned McCanse et al. patent.

The upper arms 41 are composed of a left and right arm member 41L, 41R, both having upwardly facing enlarged portions 61), 6-1 r spectively suitably faced to receive the lower end of a manifold block 63. The block 63' has flanges 64, 65 resting on the enlarged portions 611, 61 and bolted at 65, 67 thereto. Consequently the entire manifold block swivels with the boom 21} about the axis of the post 49. The manifold block 63 has a series of vertically spaced fluid inlets 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7 and 1-8. The odd numbered inlets are to the left side of a fore-and-aft center li -e of the block and the even numbered inlets are on the right side. Also from viewing FIGS. 4 and 5, it becomes clearly apparent that the odd numbered inlets 1-1, 1-3, 1-5, 1-7 and the even numbered inlets 1-2, 1-4, 1-6 and 1-5 are dispose on the leftand right-hand sides of a vertical plane containing the axis of the cylinder post 49 and the fore-and-aft center line of the block 63.

The manifold block 63 is provided with a series of fluid outlets 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6, 0-7 and 0-8 which communicate by drilled cavities, as indicated in full line and dotted line in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the respective inlets 1-1-1-3.

A series of flexible fluid lines 1-1-1, 1-1-2, 1-1-3, 1-1-4, 11-5, 1-1-6, 1-1-7, and 1-1-8 extend from outlets as on the valve assembly 55 to inlets 1-1-1-a Reviewing FIGS. 4 and 5, it becomes apparent that the hoses or lines 1-1-1, 1-1-3, 11-5, and 1-1-7 connected to the right-hand side of the valve assembly 55 extend to the left-hand fluid inlets 1-1, 1-3, 1-5 and 1-7. Similarly the hoses 1-1-2, H-, 1-1-5, and 1-1-8 shown extend from the fluid outlets 56 on v the left-hand side of the valve assembly 55 to the right-hand inlets 1-2, 1-4, 1-6 and 1-55 on the right side of the manifold to. The hoses 11-1-1-1-4 and 1-1-5-1-1-7 and the hose not shown therefore cross one another substantially on the vertical axes of the post 49. The fact that the hoses cross over one another becomes important when the backhoe assembly is moved from a directly forward position as shown in FIG. 4 to a side position as shown in PEG. 5.

By so locating the hoses, the hoses bend about the axis of the swivel structure and consequently no bulging occurs and the hoses are confined in the very smallest space.

Fluid conduits or hoses extend from the various outlets 0-1-0-8 of the manifold block to various hydraulic units operating the backhoe. As shown in P16. 8 hoses lead from the outlets 0-5-0-3 and, as shown in MG. 2, extend into the boom 2%} and obviously therefore extend to the cylinders 27, 32. The hoses extending from the outlets 0-2, 0-4 extend to the swivel cylinder 49* and operate the swivel action of the backhoe. The hoses extending from the outlets 0-1 and 0-3 extend to the cylinder 24.

The boom 21 is of box type construction and has a rear face of a panel that faces rear-wardly and is directly forwardly of the block 63 and the hoses that operate the cylinder As maybe seen in P16. 3, the panel or plate 75 is provided with a longitudinal opening '76 so that as boom 21) swings upwardly the entire block 63 and the hoses may be recessed in the boom 29. Also, the arms 41 must be extended considerably to support both the pivot 43 as well as the block 53. Consequently the opening 7 6 will be sufficiently large to permit the arms 41 to be recessed within the boom 21?. This, of course, permits the lower pivot :4 to be positioned relatively close to the axis of swivel, such being desirable to reduce the tendency for the tractor 12 to :be overbalanced by the weight of the implement. Consequently the closer the boom 21) and the remaining backhoe structure may be to its swivel axis, the more balanced the entire load on the tractor will be.

While only one form of the invention has been shown, it should be recognized that other forms and variations will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, while the preferred form shown in concised and detailed manner for the purpose of completely and concisely illustrating the principles of the invent-ion, it is not the intention to limit or narrow the invention beyond the broad concepts set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An implement assembly comprising: a supporting stand; a hydraulically operated swing structure supported on the stand and adapted to swing about an upright axis forwardly of the stand, the swing structure including forwardly projecting arms; an outwardly projecting boom structure supported on the arms and carrying earth moving equipment at its outer end, hydraulic means associated with the boom structure and earth moving equipment; a fluid manifold block supported on the arms and projecting above the swing structure and forwardly of the axis, the manifold block including a series of fluid inlets disposed on leftand right-hand sides of a vertical plane passing through the axis and the manifold block; a series of valves supported on the stand rearwardly and above the swing structure, the valves having fluid outlets disposed on leftand right-hand sides of a plane extending through the valves and axis; a series of flexible fluid lines extending from the left-hand valve outlets to the right-hand inlets and a series of flexible fluid lines extending from the right-hand valve outlets to the left-hand inlets, said series crossing one another over the swing structure and substantially on its axis; fluid conduits leading from the manifold to the hydraulic means on the boom structure and earth moving equipment; and communicating means in the block between the inlets and the fluid conduits whereby movement of the boom structure and ground moving equipment may be operated by the valves.

2. An implement assembly comprising: a supporting stand; a hydraulically operated swing structure supported on the stand and adapted to swing about an upright axis forwardly of the stand, the swing structure including upper and lower forwardly projecting arms; an outwardly projecting boom structure supported on the lower arms and carrying earth moving equipment at its outer end, hydraulic means associated with the earth moving equipment; an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder extending between the upper arms and boom structure for raising and lowering the latter; a fluid manifold block supported on the upper arms and projecting above the swing structure and forwardly of the axis, the manifold block including a series of fluid inlets disposed on leftand right-hand sides of a vertical plane passing through the axis and the manifold block; a series of valves supported on the stand rearwardly and above the swing structure, the valves having fluid outlets disposed on leftand right-hand sides of a plane extending through the valves and axis; a series of flexible fluid lines extending from the left-hand valve outlets to the right hand inlets and a series of flexible fluid lines extending from the righthand valve outlets to the left-hand inlets, said series crossing one another over the swing structure and substantially on its axis; fluid co'zduits leading from the manifold to the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic means on the boom structure and earth moving equipment respectively; communicating means in the block between the inlets and the fluid conduits whereby movement of the boom structure and ground moving equipment may be operated by the valves; and means defining a recess in the boom structure for accorrnnodatin the upper arms and block upon the boom structure moving to its maximum raised position.

3. An implement assembly comprising: a supporting stand; a hydraulically operated swing structure supported on the stand and adapted to swing about an upright axis forwardly of the stand, the swing structure including upper and lower forwardly projecting arms; an outwardly projecting boom structure supported on the lower arms and carrying earth moving equipment at its outer end, hydraulic means associated with the earth moving equipment; an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder extending between the upper arms and boom structure for raising and lowering the latter; a fluid manifold block upported on the upper arms and projecting above the swing structure and forwardly of the axis, the manifold block including a series of fluid inlets; a series of valves supported on the stand rearwardly and above the swing structure; a series of flexible fluid lines extending from the valve outlets to the inlets over the swing structure; fluid conduits leading from the manifold to the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic means on the boom structure and earth moving equipment respectively; communicating means in the block between the inlets and the fluid conduits whereby movement of the boom structure and ground moving equipment may be operated by the valves; and means defining a recess in the boom structure for accommodating the upper arms and block upon the boom structure moving to its maximum raised position.

4. An implement assembly comprising: a supporting stand; a hydraulically operated swing structure supported on the stand and adapted to swing about an upright axis forwardly of the stand, the swing structure including a horizontal pivot forwardly of the axis; an outwardly projecting boom structure supported on the pivot and carrying earth moving equipment at its outer end, hydraulic means associated with the boom structure and earth moving equipment; a fluid manifold block supported on the swing structure and extending above the swing structure and forwardly of the axis, the manifold block including a series of fluid inlets; a series of valves supported on the stand rearwardly and above the swing structure; a series of flexible fluid lines extending from the valve outlets to the inlets over the swing structure; fluid conduits leading from the manifold to the hydraulic means on the boom structure and earth moving equipment; communicating means in the block between the inlets and the fluid conduits whereby movement of the boom structure and ground moving equipment may be operated by the valves; and means defining a recess in the boom structure for accommodating the block upon the boom structure moving to its maximum raised position.

5. An implement assembly comprising; a supporting stand; a hydraulically operated swing structure supported on the stand and adapted to swing about an upright axis forwardly of the stand; an outwardly projecting boom structure pivotally supported for vertical movement on the swing structure to one side of the axis, and carrying earth moving equipment at its outer end, hydraulic means associated with the boom structure and earth moving equipment; a fluid manifold block supported on the swing structure on the aforesaid side of the axis, the manifold block including a series of fluid inlets disposed on leftand right-hand sides of a vertical plane passing through the axis and the manifold block; a series of valves supported on the stand rearwardly and above the swing structure, the valves having fluid outlets disposed on leftand right-hand sides of a plane extending through the valves and axis; a series of flexible fluid lines extending from the left-hand valve outlets to the right-hand inlets and a series of flexible fluid lines extending from the right-hand valve outlets to the left-hand inlets, said series crossing one another over the swing structure and substantially on its axis; fluid conduits leading from the manifold to the hydraulic means on the boom structure and earth moving equipment; and communicating means in the block between the inlets and the fluid conduits whereby movement of the boom structure and ground moving equipment may be operated by the valves.

6. An implement assembly comprising: a supporting stand; a hydraulically operated swing structure supported on the stand and adapted to swing about an upright axis forwardly of the stand; an outwardly projecting boom structure pivotally supported for vertical movement on the swing structure to one side of the axis and carrying earth moving equipment at its outer end, hydraulic means associated with the boom structure and earth moving equipment; a fluid manifold block supported on the swing structure on the aforesaid side of the axis, the manifold block including a series of fluid inlets; a series of valves supported on the stand rearwardly and above the swing structure; a series of flexible fluid lines extending from the valve outlets to the inlets over the swing structure; fluid conduits leading from the manifold to the hydraulic means on the boom structure and earth moving equipment; and communicating means in the block between the inlets and the fluid conduits whereby movement of the boom structure and ground moving equipment may be operated by the valves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,903,145 Brinkel Sept. 8, 1959 3,047,171 Long July 31, 1962 3,082,890 Van Auwelaer et a1. Mar. 26, 1963 

1. AN IMPLEMENT ASEMBLY COMPRISING: A SUPPORTING STAND; A HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED SWING STRUCTURE SUPPORTED ON THE STAND AND ADAPTED TO SWING ABOUT AN UPRIGHT AXIS FORWARDLY OF THE STAND, THE SWING STRUCTURE INCLUDING FORWARDLY PROJECTING ARMS; AN OUTWARDLY PROJECTING BOOM STRUCTURE SUPPORTED ON THE ARMS AND CARRYING EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT AT ITS OUTER END, HYDRAULIC MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BOOM STRUCTURE AND EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT; A FLUID MANIFOLD BLOCK SUPPORTED ON THE ARMS AND PROJECTING ABOVE THE SWING STRUCTURE AND FORWARDLY OF THE AXIS, THE MANIFOLD BLOCK INCLUDING A SERIES OF FLUID INLETS DISPOSED ON LEFT AND RIGHT-HAND SIDES OF A VERTICAL PLANE PASSING THROUGH THE AXIS AND THE MANIFOLD BLOCK; A SERIES OF VALVES SUPPORTED ON THE STAND REARWARDLY AND ABOVE THE SWING STRUCTURE, THE VALVES HAVING FLUID OUTLETS DISPOSED ON LEFT AND RIGHT-HAND SIDES OF A PLANE EXTENDING THROUGH THE VALVES AND AXIS; A SERIES OF FLEXIBLE FLUID LINES EXTENDING FROM THE LEFT-HAND VALVE OUTLETS TO THE RIGHT-HAND INLETS AND A SERIES OF FLEXIBLE FLUID LINES EXTENDING FROM THE RIGHT-HAND VALVE OUTLETS TO THE LEFT-HAND INLETS, SAID SERIES CROSSING ONE ANOTHER OVER THE SWING STRUCTURE AND SUBSTANTIALLY ON ITS AXIS; FLUID CONDUITS LEADING FROM THE MANIFOLD TO THE HYDRAULIC MEANS ON THE BOOM STRUCTURE AND EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT; AND COMMUNICATING MEANS IN THE BLOCK BETWEEN THE INLETS AND THE FLUID CONDUITS WHEREBY MOVEMENT OF THE BOOM STRUCTURE AND GROUND MOVING EQUIPMENT MAY BE OPERATED BY THE VALVES. 